Dental Hygiene
Dental hygienists are licensed health care professionals who promote oral health and wellness. Dental hygienists educate patients, regarding oral hygiene and preventive oral care.
Hygienists remove plaque, calculus and stains from teeth; expose and develop dental X-rays; and apply cavity-preventive agents such as fluorides and pit and fissure sealants. In some states, they also administer local anesthetics and nitrous oxide; place and carve filling materials, temporary fillings, and periodontal dressings; remove sutures and perform root-planing.
Hygienists may not diagnose diseases, but they can prepare clinical and laboratory diagnostic tests for the dentist to interpret. Hygienists may also work chairside with the dentist during treatment.
Latest Headlines
The university’s Dental Hygiene Clinic is proud to offer free dental services to any veteran visiting the clinic for treatment the week of November 11-15 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
National Dental Hygiene Month, an initiative started by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA), returned to Clayton State University’s campus once again with Dental Health Awareness Day event on Tuesday, October 1, in the University Center.
Read more Dental Hygiene Program celebrates National Dental Hygiene Month
Students in the program recently tended to hundreds of babies and toddlers in nearby Head Start programs, with more than 100 seen in just the first two hours of service.
Read more Dental Hygiene Program helps kids get “Head Start” in oral health
Dental Hygiene Academic Programs